These codes are driving me crazy:
I’ve reached out to Pilot a few time (Japan and US) and can’t seem to get a response…
I’m suggesting these codes are actually a manufacturing date code, similar to what Pentel used around the same time. Here’s how I think it breaks down:
- Digit 1 (Number): This is the last digit of the year it was made (e.g., ‘8’ for 1988, ‘0’ for 1990).
- Digit 2 (Letter): This indicates the month, following the same code Pentel uses.
- Digits 3 & 4 (Numbers): These represent the day of the month.
- Digit 5 (Letter): This last letter is still a bit of a mystery, but it could be something like a production line or shift indicator.
So, if you see a code like 8C23X, my theory suggests it was manufactured on March 23rd, 1988.
I’d like to start a list of codes to try to see if with enough data we can disprove this theory. I guess the quickest way would to have a 5 digit code out there where digit 2 is “M” or higher. And this also does not account for digits 3-4 being “00”.
Anyway as a start here are what I have on my desk right now. No special requests but if you happen across a 5 digit code, please reply here and I’ll keep updating this list.
So far the theory is holding…
2 Likes
I have noted down the codes on some of my Pilots but not necessarily the differentiating points of various generations… I’m leaving out those w/o a code.
H-583 - 6I28A
H-584 - 2C06A
H-585 - 1G10A
H-587 - 9J11A
HF-605 For Film - 4F07A
H-1083 - 2D20A
H-1084 - 2E10A
H-1085 - 4F17A
(H-1085) KIMOTO For Film - 8C14A
H-1585 - 6H18A
H-2085 - 9G27A
HH-80R-03 - 4F28A
HH-80R-03 - 6K18A
HH-80R (0.5mm) - 8F05A
3 Likes
Thank you @drifand and @Vici81 - I have updated list
The code is 6-I-28-A for my H-583, i.e. ‘I’ for ‘9’ or ‘Sep’.
Thanks! Dec 4, xxx5. What model is this?
2 Likes
I also found two codes visible on the tubes of the transparent H-225 from the display I shared here before. I couldn’t check under the black barrels because they were stuck, and I didn’t want to damage any of them.
The codes are 5L 11B and 5L 16B
2 Likes
Also, I found the code “7K 16A” on a H-1505
2 Likes
Also, the H225 Display I have, I beleive it is mid-1980s in spesific.
Note the price of $2.98 is on the display (this is the regular price that stores used to discount it).
This price was advertised between 1981 and 1986.
In 1987, a new price of $3.29 was advertized.
Note that in 1987, the price went up for H225 & H227 (General Purpose Pencils), but not for H215 & H217 (Drafting Pencils).
4 Likes
You’re most welcome!
I think you may need to update the year (1985) next to the H225s
1 Like
is there a chance it could also be 1995? How long were they sold? This is the same problem I have with Pentel’s dating system when there are models that cover multiple decades.
I highly doubt it. The old ads I shared above show that the “regular price” of $2.98 shown on the display’s cardboard (discounted by stores to less than $2) was only advertised up to 1986 and was raised in 1987 to $3.29 (stores discounted this higher price to anything above $2).
Also, this eBay listing shows that an H-2105 has the code “97 03” printed on the inner tube.
(【RARE+++】PILOT H-2105 Double-Knock 0.5mm Drafting Mechanical Pencil | eBay)
1 Like
That’s @xiaozhenyang4444
Good seller as well as member… fast shipping
3 Likes
